Cedar Sweep Reinventing the wheel to run myself over

hai

Grey paws shuffled across the grass, his expression blank. Jem had been walking for what felt like a day. For now, he had only kept going forward, having no goal whatsoever. Was he going to find a pack? Or a companion? He yawned; his thoughts hopping from topic to topic. The sound of his paws walking had become tedious, yet he pushed on. Why? Because why not, thats why. He frowned as he kept thinking; a companion would be nice, right? Packs had too many people at once, so maybe later, but a single friend would be alright for now- 

 'You know no one's gonna want you as a companion'
 
Jem froze, recognizing the voice. He sighed softly, then returned walking. He'd decided that the trick was just ignoring it.

'Don't ignore me, I'm your friend'
 
"Shut up, Grey," the wolf growled aloud. Whoops, shoulda stayed quiet. 

'You know I'm right. No one wants to be your friend. You're lucky I'm your friend'

His reply stopped at the base of his mouth, and he simply shook his head. He stayed quiet this time; not just because he didn't want to talk to Grey, but also because Jem knew the voice was right. The silence hung between them. Or in reality, between him and the voice in his head.

Their claim on the Isle was strengthening, and after successfully deterring the group of travellers Aeronwyn had decided to journey south. She skirted around the borders of Golden Glade, staying to the east and hoping none of the idiotic pack would try and pick a fight again. When the borders were but a faint scent behind her, she slipped into another patch of forest, trotting at a swift lope she could endure for days. 

"Shut up, Grey."

The voice was faint, but heard still over the soft birdsong. The femme came to a stop, ears pricked and silver eyes flicking over the trees to her right. To investigate, or not to investigate? What a stupid question. Her form slipped into a silent stalk, slipping between trunks, until the form of another came into view. He was alone, as was entailed by scent and sight, and she had no notion of who this "Grey" could be. 

Nevertheless, she approached, stance purposeful and confident, paws hitting the earth almost silently as she matched the stride of the other, falling in step beside him and a short distance away. A loner, judging by the absence of pack scent, though healthy looking, at least. She announced her presence with a chuff, evaluating him a moment before speaking. "Greetings. What seek you here?" She could afford to be this soft, familiar with strangers, she had years of fighting experience to back her up should he prove to be hostile.

The silence had been interrupted once again, but not by Grey. This voice, instead, sounded clearer; almost as if it were of a real person's. Correction: it was a real person. His eyes caught the sight of white fur.
"Oh, hey" he breathed. Before adding, "I do not seek of anything, simply wandering, miss." His way of speaking had been altered to match her's, more formal. This was an unconscious habit of his. Weirdo. 

"I'm James. Though, please, call me Jem," he introduced. Yeah, all good, he didn't sound too bad-

'She doesn't care what your name is, you look stupid'

Jem's ears twitched, slightly afraid that she had heard Grey and decided that she didn't want to talk to him after all. But a little piece of him was also hoping she had heard Grey too, and he wasn't just crazy.

It was then she noted something about the wolf, something that she had not realized earlier in her matter-of-fact evaluation of him. This Jem was undeniably, irritatingly, handsome. His pelt was pale as hers was, though it held a medley of shades, his eyes a deep sea blue. She caught herself, for a moment, admiring the handsome brute, but quickly glanced forward, steeling her gaze, before looking back at the wolf. How unfair.

It was such that she noted not the twitch of his ears, but simply stored the name in her mind, attaching it to the handsome male alongside her. "So, Jem the Wanderer, you are content, being a loner? It as exciting life, but also of hardship." Her silver orbs flicked inquiringly to him, wondering why he chose to merely wander, to be a free spirit. It was surely an enticing offer, to experience so much of the world, but not one that appealed to her at this moment.

She had not introduced herself, in which Jem was disappointed. Though, he let a small grin as she said his name. Surprisingly, Grey had stayed silent. "I am free, so I believe I'm alright," he stated simply. He had reached a stage in his life where he wanted to discover the world, and wasn't sure if he was ready to stop. "Though maybe it is time to settle," he said after a moment, even though he was sure he wanted to keep exploring. 

 Jem glanced at the ghost girl, a smile tugging his lips. "Are you in a pack?"

He spoke of wanting to settle, and asked if she was in a pack. Did this mean, perhaps, what she thought it might? She remained silent a moment, then nodded. "That I am." she said, purposefully being vague. The Isle was a place she was not willing to name to anyone. She had yet to judge this one's character, and even then, it would be Burke and Malice that would have the last say in rejecting or allowing another to join their ranks. "Why do you ask?" she said, not unkindly.

She confirmed his thought: she was in a pack. Jem was already excited of the thought; a pack he could call his own. Perhaps he would manage the pack life. Perhaps.
"I'm wondering if your pack would like a recruit?" 

Jem held his breath, and was suddenly aware of the stillness of the air. 

eep short post is short, sorry!

Don't worry about it! :D

His question confirmed her suspicions, causing a small smile to flit across her face like a bird. For a moment, silence hung thick in the air as she formulated an answer, but dissipated quickly thereafter. "My home is an isle, set between two rivers. It is a place of learning, and though our claim is recent, we are a close-knit group." No need to touch upon the fact that their ranks were lacking, as that wasn't information she would give out anywhere. "If you search for a home, a place to settle and also one to learn, I would be glad to take you there, should you so wish."  She smiled again at the male, and this one did more than dance on her muzzle for a little while.

The mood had gotten better quickly, and Jem was so damn grateful. This could've gone a million different ways badly, but she happily offered. His eyes lit up, resembling more of the sky than the usual dark sea. Someone should've taken a picture, for Jem hardly smiled properly. 

On cue, Grey jumped in. 'She's not just doing this because she wants you to join. She's just being polite, and you're pushing your way around'

Jem struggled to keep the smile, failing as it melted off his face. He weakly attempted another smile, finally settling for a twitch on the corner of his lips.

"That would be great, thank you," he finally said.

A smile touched this one's face as he accepted, she nodding to him with a small smile of her own upon her face. He looked annoyingly handsome when he smiled, she noted. She glanced quickly to the left, to the path they would take, before her gaze returned to the grey-pelted wolf. Should he have initiative, he would likely thrive in their home, who's name would have to remain secretive for now. As well as the name of her Lord and Lady, who's fake names she had been instructed to use outside of her Isle. 

She noted that his smile had slipped, somewhat, and briefly, she wondered why. But she was not to concerned over the fact, and did not question him too much about it, but spoke smoothly as she made to lead the way back, to her home. "Follow me, Jem. Remember this; when speaking to my Lord and Lady, be truthful and transparent. They are fair and kind, though do not take kindly to lies. I do hope you'll find a home there." she said, a small smile flitting across her muzzle once more. With that, she spun on her heel to deliver this male to the borders, and perhaps learn more of him as they went.

If you would like, I could start a new thread for us at the borders? Thanks for the thread :D

Sure!

 She said his name once again, sending a little happiness back. From her words and warnings, he noted to be truthful, and that the leaders were called the Lord and the Lady. A small nod came from the grey wolf, showing that he had understood; as well did a small grin mimicking her own. 


 The two wolves walked away from the scene and, hopefully, towards Jem's new home.